Offensive Line Rankings: Middle Class

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Starting lineups are projections and will be updated throughout OTAs and training camp.

Offensive Line Rankings
32-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

20. Cleveland Browns

Depth: Bryan Witzmann, Kendall Lamm, Drew Forbes (R), Eric Kush

• 2018 was a tale of two seasons for the Browns' offense. In the first half of the campaign, the unit underachieved with Hue Jackson as head coach, giving up 33 sacks and 62 quarterback hits. Everything changed when Jackson was removed, including a drastic decline in pressure reaching Baker Mayfield. Over the final eight games, Cleveland allowed just five sacks and 11 QB hits, while Mayfield tied for the eighth-most fantasy points at his position during that stretch.
• Robinson took over for the ailing Harrison midseason - Robinson is now projected to begin the year as the starting left tackle - but aside from that, the Browns' line was relatively injury free. The biggest question mark heading into 2019 will be the departure of guard Kevin Zeitler, who was traded to the New York Giants. Zeitler is one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen and his absence will be felt. Corbett, last year's 33rd overall pick, has big shoes to fill as the new starting right guard.
• The hype surrounding the Browns is warranted. Mayfield finally gives them a true franchise quarterback to build around, superstar Odell Beckham Jr. joins Jarvis Landry in the receiving corps, and sophomore Nick Chubb looks like a difference-maker in the backfield. A slight decline in offensive line efficiency shouldn't concern fantasy owners planning to invest in this offense.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

Depth: Cedric Ogbuehi, Will Richardson, Josh Wells, Brandon Thomas, KC McDermott, Tyler Shatley

• The Jaguars' offensive line had high hopes last season after inking big-ticket free agent Norwell. However, injuries crushed the unit with Robinson, Linder, and Norwell missing a combined 26 games. Robinson is working his way back from a torn ACL, putting his early-season effectiveness in doubt.
• Fortunately for Jacksonville, Taylor - a tackle viewed by many as a top-10 talent in this year's draft - fell all the way to 35th overall. Unless there's something in his evaluation we're missing, he has a chance to stabilize the right side of the line. Newly signed Ogbuehi is a luxury that the team didn't have a year ago. He'll provide competition for Taylor and insurance in case Robinson's recovery is delayed.
• Even if the line stays healthy, the Jags will still need Leonard Fournette to outlast his injury curse and avoid any further suspensions. He's missed more than a third of the team's games over his first two years and played through ailments in several others. Fantasy owners should be concerned that the lower-body injuries from his college days simply aren't going away. This line does have the ability to execute the power-run game that Tom Coughlin has pushed since arriving, so if you're set on drafting Fournette, make sure to get his backup, Ryquell Armstead, as well.

18. San Francisco 49ers

Depth: Josh Garnett, Ben Garland, Erik Magnuson, Shon Coleman, Justin Skule (R)

• Staley remains the rock on a unit that returns all five starters. That's great news for the rushing attack, which generated over 1,900 yards on the ground despite being without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and running back Jerick McKinnon for nearly the entire season. Credit goes to Kyle Shanahan's always effective system and to a restocked offensive line that came together to earn a top-10 run-blocking ranking from Football Outsiders.
• With McKinnon, last year's breakout star, Matt Breida, and former Shanahan pupil Tevin Coleman who signed in free agency, the 49ers' rushing attack has all the elements to be one of the league's most productive in 2019. Don't leave your draft without grabbing at least one lottery ticket from this group.
• Pass protection is one area in which this group will need to improve. Garoppolo suffered his torn ACL while running down the sideline, but a potential decrease in mobility would make him an easier target for pass-rushers. Hopefully, the continuity of a second year together will help the interior of this line gel; if not, it could be a long season for Jimmy G.

17. Denver Broncos

Depth: Chaz Green, Don Barclay, Sam Jones, Elijah Wilkinson, Jake Rodgers, Austin Schlottmann

• We haven't talked much about offensive line coaches yet and that's because most of the lower-ranked units aren't led by the game's top blocking minds. Starting this year, that changes in Denver as Mike Munchak joined Vic Fangio's staff after serving in the same role with the Steelers for the previous five seasons. We'll get to the Steelers in the top 10 (spoiler), but suffice it to say, they boast an elite unit and Munchak had a hand in the success. Now, he'll bring his expertise to a promising Broncos line.
• Bolles is an athletic left tackle, whose speed makes up for his lack of bulk. Risner, a second-round pick in April, was immediately installed as the starting left guard, forming a potentially dominant young duo on the left side. McGovern and Leary are serviceable interior linemen, and veteran addition James locks down a right tackle spot that's been problematic in recent years.
• We know the impact that the Broncos' blocking can have on their running backs. Phillip Lindsay averaged more yards before contact per attempt than any other back in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus. With the loss of center Matt Paradis being offset by the arrivals of Risner, James, and coach Munchak, the Broncos are poised to make a leap up the offensive line rankings in 2019.

16. Washington Redskins

Depth: Wes Martin (R), Tyler Catalina, Geron Christian, Tony Bergstrom, Ross Pierschbacher (R)

• Talent-wise, the Redskins own a top-10 offensive line. Unfortunately, injuries over the last few seasons have turned it into a liability at times. Washington's best lineman, Williams, who participated in seven straight Pro Bowls, has missed nine games over the last two years and has reportedly requested a trade. Two-time Pro Bowler Scherff has been sidelined for 10 contests during that same span. That's not counting the variety of other linemen who have missed time as well. At some point, you need to see players stay healthy before you can put your trust in them.
• With durability issues on the line and an overcrowded backfield that features Derrius Guice, Adrian Peterson, and Chris Thompson, Washington's offense is a risky one to invest in. Guice should lead the way, but his health coming back from a torn ACL is also in question, as is Peterson's willingness to sit on the bench if the young back is handling the majority of carries. Thompson, who played through injuries last year, will finally be 100 percent and is almost guaranteed to siphon off some of the passing-down work.
• If Dwayne Haskins wins the starting job at quarterback, keeping the rookie healthy will be paramount to his development. Haskins isn't likely to be a fantasy asset in 2019, but he won't even be worth considering as a streamer unless this line can avoid the injury report.

15. Carolina Panthers

Depth: Greg van Roten, Tyler Larsen, Dennis Daley (R), Ian Silberman, Taylor Hearn

• Projecting the starting five for the Panthers isn't difficult, but predicting where each of them will line up is definitely a challenge. Turner is locked in as one of the better guards that the league has to offer. Paradis is an outstanding signing who will solidify the center of the line. After that, we could see Moton line up at either tackle spot, with rookie Little pushing for starter's snaps on the other side. Williams played well at right tackle; however, with the new members, his clearest path to playing time might be as a guard. The pieces are there, now Carolina just needs to see if they fit together.
• Cam Newton is rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery and Carolina will no doubt want to build a protective bubble around him in the pocket. As we saw last year, losing Newton is essentially a season-ending scenario. It'll be interesting to see if the Panthers try to limit the 30-year-old's scrambling and short-yardage carries in an attempt to keep him on the field.
• It stands to reason that the infusion of talent should help the Panthers improve on their middle-of-the-pack performances in run- and pass-blocking last season. Now that Christian McCaffrey has proven himself as a workhorse back, a more polished offensive line could help him secure the crown as fantasy's top player.

14. Oakland Raiders

Depth: Denzelle Good, Brandon Parker, David Sharpe, Denver Kirkland, Jordan Devey

• It was a wild offseason for the Raiders, and the offensive line was right in the middle of the action. Kelechi Osemele was traded to the Jets, Brown was signed in free agency, and most recently, Incognito came out of retirement to join the Oakland circus. The controversial guard has made headlines for all the wrong reasons during his NFL career and sat out the 2018 season. If he can regain his form, the Raiders will have four above-average linemen with Miller being the only weak link.
• Despite being a first-round pick, Miller's rookie struggles are worrisome for his career outlook. He was 76th out of 80 offensive tackles graded by Pro Football Focus last year. Heading into his sophomore season, he's gained weight and confidence. He's also hoping the added muscle will help avoid the injuries that plagued him in his first season.
• Josh Jacobs landed with a team that will give him a full complement of touches and at worst, he'll have a stout right side of the line to run behind. With Antonio Brown drawing defensive attention away from the line of scrimmage, Jacobs has a chance to be a fantasy star right out of the gate.

13. Tennessee Titans

Depth: Dennis Kelly, Nate Davis (R), Corey Levin, Austin Pasztor, Tyler Marz

• It wasn't long ago that the Titans were being billed as the next great offensive line with Lewan and Conklin championing their cause. Though Lewan makes some boneheaded decisions on occasion, and is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy, he's held up his end as a solid left tackle. Conklin, sadly, hasn't been able to do the same after a torn ACL ended his 2017 campaign, and he never fully recovered from it last year before the team ultimately placed him on injured reserve. His presence come Week 1 can't be taken for granted, which could force Kelly into the lineup.
• Tennessee lost Quinton Spain and Josh Kline in free agency, countering the moves by signing Saffold and drafting Davis. Saffold will handle left guard duties, while the rookie competes with Pamphile for the starting right guard spot.
• Derrick Henry's late-season surge wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the offensive line paving his way. Whether the line improves or declines after the offseason moves, fantasy owners should be skeptical that Henry can replicate those numbers over the course of a full season.

12. Kansas City Chiefs

Depth: Andrew Wylie, Kahlil McKenzie, James Murray, Nick Allegretti (R)

• Patrick Mahomes and his skill position players get the love from the fantasy community, but the unsung heroes of the high-powered Chiefs offense are employed on the line. Fisher and Schwartz are superb bookends and the return of their most talented blocker, Duvernay-Tardif, will help make up for the loss of center Mitch Morse in free agency. Duvernay-Tardif has only played in half the team's games over the last two years, raising questions about his season-long availability.
• Reiter performed well in his four starts and should be an adequate replacement for Morse in the middle, while Erving tries to hold off Wylie at left guard. Depth could be an issue if injuries strike, but for now, Kansas City is primed to once again field one of the league's best offenses top to bottom.
• Don't underestimate the impact this line has on Mahomes' fantasy value. Yes, the breakout star of 2018 is as talented as they come at the position. He's also kept clean and allowed to make those highlight-reel plays. The Chiefs gave up just 26 sacks and had the fifth-best adjusted sack rate, according to Football Outsiders. There's no reason to think that will change this season.

11. Baltimore Ravens

Depth: Alex Lewis, James Hurst, Bradley Bozeman, Jermaine Eluemunor, R.J. Prince

• Yanda, a six-time All-Pro, apparently flirted with retirement before signing a one-year extension. The 34-year-old future Hall of Famer is the anchor of this unit. He and Stanley give the Ravens two dominant stars. Brown showed well as a rookie and should man the right side of Baltimore's line for the foreseeable future.
• Left guard and center will be open competitions, but the team has the depth to plug those hole with reliable starters. Fourth-rounder Powers will compete with Lewis over the left guard role while Skura and Bozeman battle at center, a position that the Ravens haven't adequately filled since Ryan Jensen left in free agency last year.
• No team ran the ball more than the Ravens after Lamar Jackson became the starter in the second half of the season, and it's easy to envision them leading that category for the entire 2019 season. Greg Roman will now be in charge of calling plays, and his track record of successful rushing attacks with dual-threat quarterbacks is extensive. Roman is likely to implement some new blocking schemes to help this unit gain every possible advantage.

* - Suspended to start season
INJ - Injury that may affect Week 1 availability
R - Rookie

Offensive Line Rankings
32-21 | 20-11 | 10-1